Corn-planter.



No. 825,059. PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

E. A. JOHNSTON.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLIOATION FILED D120. 28, 1905.

No. 825,059. 7 PATENTBD JULY 3, 1906.

E.-A. JOHNSTON.

CORN PLANTBR.

APPLICATION FILED 111:0. as, 1005.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ITE IWI No. 825,059. PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

E. -A. JOHNSTON.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 2B, 1905. I

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED JULYVS, 1906.

E. A. JOHNSTON.

CORN PLANTER. APPLIOATIOH I'ILBD mm. as, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET Q. 26'

PATBNTED JULY 3, 1906.

E. A. JOHNSTON.

v CORN PLANTER. mrmoumn FILED no. as. 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

IliITIEER-Eu vew ldwwiiM/uzflgr PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

E. A. JOHNSTON.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 2a, 1905.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII i Figure 1 represents a plan of a 4 head and seedbox-siip ort PATENT on;

EDWARD A. JOHNS-TON. OF srnatmejmmnols. AssrenoR 'ro INTERNAL. noNALnARvEsrER COMPANY, A CORPORATION on NEW JERSEY. I I

, coRN-PLANTER."

' r .T ;.a ll whom it Tito/ concern.-

citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of Whitesidi? and State of ]]linois, have invented a newand useful 1m (torn-Planters, of which the v I 16 1s a detail transverse section through the rovement in ollowing is a complete specification. This invention relates to check-row c'ornplanters, and has for its object the improve ment of the mechanism which actuates the seed-plate, also an improved construction of seed-valve in the seed-tube and means for operating same, and a cheap and effective frame construction, including means for adjusting the tongue in its' connection therewith.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, corn-planter embodying my improvements. 2 rep resents a side elevation of a complete machine. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 4'is a plan on the right-hand sideof the machine, t e seedbox and cut-off plate being removed to more clearly show the manner of operating theseed-plate and with the cheek-lever being shown its lines 10 10 and 11 11 of Fig\ 13' are detail views in normal forward position. 5' is a corresponding view. showing the check-lever moved to -1ts rearward position. Figs. 6 and 7 represent similar views of corresponding the left-hand side .of .the planter, V

- arts on 6 showing the check-lever in normal forward position and 7 in its rearwardposition, these views being more particularly designed to show the connecting of the shake or connecting rod with its connecting members on the opposite side of the machine.- Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the right-handse'edbox and subjacent parts as indicated by the line 8 8 of Fig. 4? Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section of the same seedbox, taken'on the line 9 9 of Fig. 4. Figs. 10 and 11 represent, respectively, a longitudinal and'a transverse vertical section taken through the left-hand seedboxand corres 0nd with Figs. 8 and 9, the views being t en, respectively, on the 6. Fig. 12 isa detail reverse plan ofthe cut-off plate with a ortion of the seed-plate. shown dotted ines in proper relation thereto. 13 and side elevation,showing, respectively, the spring-knocker and cut-ofi Specification of Letters Patent. f Application 519a December 28, 1905. Serial No. 293.545.

is a view illustrating the fragmentary 'ew of the check' .tioned bolt-hole.

:atente'd ma a, 1906.

seed-plate. Fig. 14 hinge connection of the supporting-bar and dofier 5 for the wire guide-rollers. Fig. 15 represents a trans verse horizontal section through the runnershank, taken on the line 15 15 of Fig. 8.. Fig.

finger inrelation to the reel-shaft and reel and driving parts therefor,

taken on the line 16 16 of Fig. 2. 17 illustrates the construction of the device for adjusting the length of the shake-rod. Fig. 18 is a detail section taken on the line 18 18 of Fig. 1, showing the adjustable connection frame of the planter. Fig. 19 re resents'a plan of the bottom 0 the seed hopper, the view oeing designed to show the construction and arrangement of the seedplate, the pawl for actuating same, and the pawl-detention plate for controlling the time of engagement of the said pawl with the seed-. late. Fig. 20 is a similar view showingt epawl-detention plate adjusted. to a position to permit of the maximum movement of the seed-plate, and 21 represents a detail perspective view of the pawldetention plate.

- of the ruimer-frame with the wheel or main Referring to-the accompanying drawings,

the main frame is formed of a bar 1, bent in a U-shaped form with its transverse portion at the rear of the machine, this bar being mounted on the stationary main axle 2, on which is journaled the supporting and covering wheels 3. To the forward ends of the side membersv of the bar 1 of the main or wheel frame is adiustably attached the front or runner frame 4, theattachinent being effected by means of the casting 5 (see Fig. 18) and the bolts 6. In

the fl e 5 of this casting is formed a forward b0 t-hole 5? and a series of holes 5 radially disposed with respect to the first-men- The forward bolt-hole 5 forms the pivotal center about which adjustment of the angle of the runner-frame is made with respectto the main frame, these boltholes registering with corresponding apertures in the front ends of the U-shaped bar 1 of the main frame.

The main or cross bar of the runner-frame 4 consists of a pi e with suitable attachments for connecting t e associated parts. Intermediate of the length of said runner-frame on the brackets 7 is pivotally mounted the tongue, the tongue being bracedby means of tion to said lever.

fportion'9. s idably engaging at its rear en the fulcrum-block 11, (see Fig. 3,) which pivots on the axle 2 of the main frame. A spring 12 is interposed between the lever 9 and the runner-frame 4 in such a manner as to exert a stress tending to counterbalance the forward end of the tongue. As the lever is moved forwardly, its rear end in the fulcrum-block 11 being held stationary, the rear end of the tongue will be depressed and the forward end raised, while movement rearwardly of the lever will have a reverse effect. I f

The rocking scraper-bar 13, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3,) carrying thenscraper-blades 13, is op erated by the foot-lever 14. The reel 15 is. mounted on a suitable shaft 15 in the bracket 16 and is driven from one of the supportingwheels by a sprocket-chain connection 17 with the reel-shaft,, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 16. As no claim to novelty is made in the scraper device and reel mechanism, a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

r/ Io the outer ends of the pipe cross-bar forming the runner-frame 4, on the under side thereof, are secured the shanks 18 of the runners, which in connection with the runner-shoes. 19 constitute the usual furrowopening device. I The runner-shoes 19 are of the usual form, the upper end of each being secured to a forwardly-extending lug 18 on the upper end of said shank. The rear side of the runner-shank is cored out andextended upwardly to the seedbox, thus forming a seed conduit or tube 20, leading from the seedbox down to the heel of the shank 18. The runner-shank is secured to the runner-frame 4 by means of the bolts 21 and 22, these bolts also securing to the runner-frame the checkhead base 2 On the u per face of the check-head base is secured, by means of the bolt 22 and the checklever spindle 24, the seedboxsupport 25, as shown in Figs. 8 and 11, inclusive. The check-head base 23 projects beond the end of the runner-frame, is trianguar in shape, and supports at its outer end the wire guide-rollers 26 and 26.. The seedboxsupport 25 consists of three equiangularlydisposed legs projecting outwardly and up? wardly' from the check head support, to which it is secured, the upper end of the legs terminating in a rim 25, having the lugs 25 with lugs 28, corres onding with those on the rim 25, is secure to the bottom of said seedbox in order to afford effective means for fastening the seedbox in position. In the shaped cap-deflector or cut-off plate 29, the check-lever spindle 24 serving as a support for same, while a shoulder on the upper end of said spindle in connection with the nut 30 holds the'pla te firmly in. position;

The cut-off plate and seed -ejector (see Figs. 12 and 13) are of the usual construction having the housing 29' extending to the wall of the seedbox, and within this housing is mounted the cut-off finger 31 and the hamtheir work and perform the well und'erstood function of such elements. Beneath the out off plate 29 and supported by the rim 25 of the seedboX-support'25, as shown in Figs 8 to 11, is the annular-shaped seed-plate 33, provided on its outer margin with the seedcells 33 and on its inner margin with the ratchet-teeth 33 The seed-plate fits'closely within the rim 25 and also closely beneath the cut-off plate 29. The cut-off plate, however, except at its housing, extends with its outer margin substantially flush with the bot tom of the seed-cells 33', so that the cells project beyond the marginof said cut-ofi plate. The mutual relation of the cut-off and seed plates, as well as the cut-ofi finger 31 and spring-hammer 32, is clearly shownin Figs. 12, 13, and 13, the direction of rotation of the seed-plate be' in these figures. is apparent that as the seed-plate is made to rotate in the direction indicated the spring-actuated cut-ofl finger 31 will prevent the cells 33 from carrying more than a single grain of corn beneath the housing 29, and the spring-actuated hammer 32 will insure the grain of corn being dislodged from its cell and forced down into the seed tube 20. A portion of the bottom flan e 25 of the rim 25 is cut away beneath the ousing 29 on the cut-ofi plate directly beneath the cells on the seed-plate, thus forming a seed-outlet 34 from the bottom of the seedbox, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10 and in black in Figs. 4 to 7. This seed-outlet communicates with the seed-tube formed in the shank 18, the upper extension of said shank connecting with the rim '25 of the seedbox-support by means of the bolt 35, which engages one of the lugs 25 on said rim.

On the spindle 24 is sleeved the check-lever The arm portion 36 of the lever rests upon the foot of the seedbox-support 25, and above this is the head portion 37. This head portion of the lever is provided with the laterally-projecting arms 37 and 37 the arm 36, constructed, preferably, of two parts.

forr'ned thereon. On this rim 25" is fixed the I seedbox 27. The ring'28, which is provided bottom of the seedbox 27 is fixed the conicalmer 32 both of which are spring-held to indicated by the arrows The seed-plate 33 is operated as follows: I

- Figs. 4 to pending sho ead portion boss 39 extends upwardly r'l'om t of the arm 37 and on .top of this boss is piv- 5 seed-plate 33. ,IS

- ectin ledge 42,

otally'mounted the pawl 40, arranged to engage the teeth 33 on the inner face of the betweeh thegpawl and an upwardly-proformed also-on the arm 37 t is o vious that as the check-lever arm 36 is pulled rearwardly by the tappet-wire 43 in the forward movement of the'machine the head portion of the lever will also be moved rearwardly against the actionof the spring 38, which movement will cause the pawl 40 to engage the teeth on the seed-plate and cause the seed-plate to rotate from the position shown in Fi 4 to that shown inFig; 5 on the right-han side of the machine and, as shown in Fig. 6, to that shown in Fig. 7 on the left-hand side of the machine. As soon as the tappet-wire releases the lever-arm 36 the spr' 38 will parts to t e normal forward position.

The dropping mechanism is adjusted to deosit the required number of grains by varymg the extent of movement of the seed-plate, and the extent of movement of the seed-plate is regulated by holding the pawl 40 out of en. gagement with the seed-plate teeth. 33 for a greater or less portion ofthe movement of said pawl. The time of engagement of the pawl 40 with the seed-plate is controlled by means of the pawl-detention plate 44, which is adjustable ,with respect to the pawl and is secured by means of screws to the rim 25 of the seedbox-support. Thisplate (shown in Figs. 4, 9, and 19 to 21) lies beneath the said rim 25, extends inwardly andisprovided at its inner edge with the upwardly-projecting flange 44 which is contacted by the pawl 40. A series of holes in the rim provides for pcripheral adjustment of said plate on its sup port. As will appear from aninspection of 7 and 19 and 20, the detentionplate 44 will hold the pawl out of engagement with the seed-plate teeth to a greater or less degree, depending on its position. If said plate be adjusted to the dotted-line position, 44' (see Fig. 4) will hold the pawl out of engagement with one of the teeth, causing the seed-plate 33 to move a less distance by one cell, and thereby drop one seed less. If, on the other hand, the plate is adjusted to the dotted-line position marked 44*, the pawl 40 will engage an additional tooth and drop an extra seed. In Fig. 19 the plate 44 is so adjusted that the pawl 40 moves the seed-pla A coil-spring 41 is interposed 7 head portion 37 the slotted cam projection 48, this cam proimmediately restore the with each other, a

over the space of one seed-cell, while in Fig.

20 its position is such that the said pawl 40 is permitted to engage the teeth of the seed- .plate earlier and move same over the space of three seed-cells. In this manner the plate may be adjusted to drop anv number of kernels of corn from( one to three, and as the partsfor efiecting such adjustment are out-r side'the seedbox and easy of access the adjli ihstment can be made with little trouble. tained if, the pawl instead of the plate were made ad'ustable.

The fol tube 20, with means for operating same, is provided: A valve member 46 47 at the forward side ofthe seed-tube in the shank 18, this member extending downward and sweeping with its lower end the ledge 18, formed in the lower end of the seed-tube 20 and at the heel of the runner-shank. On the of the check-lever is formed jection and the arm 37 being independent and extending in opposite directions on the right-hand side of the machine, but on the left-hand side extend in the samedirection and merge with each other. The slot in this lowing valve mechanism inthe seed- 7 is pivoted at f cam projection engages a roller 46 onthe'npper end of the valve member 46 and actuates same when the check-lever is moved. -At the lower end of the seed-tube 20 is'pivotally' mounted at 49 the spring-held second valve member 50, curved forwardly intermediate of its length to form the knee 50' thereof, which contacts the first described valve member whenever same is swung rearwardly. It will thus be seen that as the check-lever arm 36 ismoved rearwardly by the tappetwire the pawl 40 will actuate the seed-plate in the manner above described, while the cam-slot 48 will swing the valve member 46 rearwardly at its lower end and dislodge the 'grainon the ledge 18*.

50 of the member-50, thus forming an upper valve in the seed-tube, which will remain closed during the remainder of the movement. As soon as the check-lever is released it will be forced quickly back to normal forward position, the valve-member 46 being also returned by the cam 48. The kernels of corn will thus be allowed to drop down upon the ledge 18 the rear valve member 50 pressing with its lower. end against said ledge, thus forming a lower valve, on which the corn is 'held .until again dislodged by the member 46 in the succeeding dropping operation. I

To connect the two check-levers and cause them to operate the seed-plates 33 in unison shake-rod 51 is interposed between the head portion 37 of said levers. This shake-rod is'made adjustable in length te by means of the coupling 52, thesmall end In this movement the valve member 46 will contact the knee is e same result, it is evident, could be at- I '52 of which isthreaded toreceive one part of the shake-rod, While the barrel portion 52 is provided with a set-screw 53 to secure the other part of said shake-rod. Such construc for Wear and also permit of proper ad ustment to the head portion of the check-lever when the distance between the seedboxes is varied.

In order to readily engage and disengage the check-wire from the check-head, the outer guide-rollers 26 are mounted on the hinged bar 54, which is adapted to fold down- Wardly, as indicated by the dotted-line position'of the detail shown in Fig. 14. The spring'55, in conjunction with the bell-crank 56 and the link 57, operates to efi'ectthe re lease of said bar 54 or to lock it in its normal position.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seed-plate, a check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, and a pawl mounted upon said checklever for actuating said seed-plate.

2. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seed-plate, 'a two-part check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, and a pawl mounted upon said chock-lever for actuating said seed-plate 3. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seed-plate, a two-part check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, the said seed-plate and lever having a common axis of movement.

4. In a corn-planter, in combination, an,

annular-shaped seed-plate provided at its outer margin with seed-cells andon its inner margin with ratchet-teeth, a check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, and a pawl mounted upon said check-lever and arranged to engage the teeth on and actuate said seed-plate.

' 5. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, an annular-shaped seed-plate, a two-part check-lever comprising an arm and a head portion, a cam-slot formed integral with said head portion, a runner-shank constituting a seed-tube, a seed-valve in said shank, and an operative connection between said cam and seed-valve.

6. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, a seed-plate, a two-part check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire and consisting of a head and an arm portion rotatively movable to a limited extent with respect to each other, the said seed-plate and the two parts of'the check-lever movable about a common axis, and a pawl mounted on the head por tion of said check-lever for engaging and ac tube, a ledge formed therein at the heel of" a said shank, said ledge with the second valve tuating the seed-plate.

7'. In a corn-planter, in combination, seedboxes, seed-plates operating therein, twopart check-levers consisting each of a head and an arm portion relatively movable to a limited extent with respectto each other, a

pawl mounted on the head portion of each check-lever for actuating the seed-plates, and a shake-rod connecting the said check-levers.

8. In a corn-planter, in combination, seedboxes, seed-plates arranged therein, two-part check-leversconsisting each of a head andan arm portion relatively movable to a limited boxes, seed-plates arranged therein, two-part check-levers consisting each of a head and an arm portion, the head portion being movable rearwardly independent of the arm portion,

springs tending normally to hold said head portions in their forward position, an arm formed into al with each head portion,"an

adjustable s ake-rod connecting said arms,.

and a pawl'mounted on each of said head portions for actuating the seed-plates.

10. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, an annular-shaped seed-plate, a two-part check-lever comprising an arm and a head portion, the said head portion being provided with means for engaging the arm portion, a pawl mounted upon the head portion for actuating the seed-plate, a cam in connection with said two-p art lever, a runnershank constituting a seed-tube, and a seedvalve in said shank, said valve consistirigof a forward, pivotally mounted, cam-actuated member extending upwardly and engaging the cam on'the two-part check-lever, and a cooperating spring held forwardly curved valve member located in theheel of said shank.

11. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, an annular-shaped seed-plate, a

two-part check-lever comprising an arm and ahead portion, a cam-slot formed integral with said head portion and extending "in part eccentric and in part concentric with respect to the center of movement of said checklever, a runner-shank constituting a seed: tube, and a seed-valve in said shank, one member of said valve extending u Wardly and engaging the cam-slot in said check lever.

, 12. In a corn-planter, in combination, a

seedbox, an annular-shaped seed -platcya iro two-part check-lever comprising an arm and a head portion, a cam-slot formed integral with said head portion and formed in part eccentric and in part concentric with respect to the center of movement of said checklever, a runner-shank constituting a seedmember constituting the lower or primary valve, a valve member pivotally mounted on the forward side of said seed-tube and exsweep with its lower end the ledge and thus dislodge the seeds therefrom, a second springheld valvem'ember pivotally mounted at the rear of the seed-tube and near the bottom thereof, the second member being provided intermediate of its length with a forwardlycurvedportion which forms, in conjunction with the said first valve members, a secondary or upper seed-valve, the lower end of the second valve member normally resting against the ledge in the seed-tube and thereby closing the lower or primary seed-valve.

13. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, an annular-shaped seed-plate provided with seed-cells and ratchet-teeth, a check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, a pawl mounted on said check-lever for operating the seed-plate, and means for regulating the extent of eflective movement of said pawl in its action upon said seed-plate.

14. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, an annular-shaped seed-plate provided with seed-cells and ratchet-teeth, a check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, a pawl mounted on said check-lever for operating the seed-plate, and means beneath and independent of said seedbox for regulating the extent of effective movement of said pawl in its action upon said seed-plate.

15. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, an annular-shaped seed-plate provided with seed-cells and ratchet-teeth, a check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, a pawl mounted on said check-lever for operating the seed-plate, and a pawl-detention plate, the said pawl and detention-plate being adjustable in their operative relation with respect to each others 16. In a corn-planter, in combination, a

seedbox, a seedboX-support, an annularshaped seedlate provided on its outer margin with see cells and on its inner margin with ratchet-teeth, a check-lever actuated by a tappet-wire, a pawl mountedon said check-lever for operating the seed-plate, and

the inner edge of said seed-plate and impart an intermittent movement thereto.

18. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, a cap-deflector, an annular-shaped seed-plate, a check-lever, and a pawl controlled by said check-lever for actuating said seed-plate.

19. Ina corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, a cap-deflector, an annular-shaped seed-plate provided on its outer margin with seed-cells and on its inner margin with ratchet-teeth, a check-lever, and a pawl mounted upon said check-lever and controlled thereby for actuating said seed-plate.

20. In a corn-planter, in combination, a seedbox, a cap-deflector, an annular-shaped seed-plate provided on its outer margin with seed-cells and on its inner margin with ratchet-teeth, a check-lever, and a pawl mounted upon said check-lever for actuating said seed-plate, said pawl lying within and in the plane of'said seed-plate. t

EDWARD AFJOHNSTO N.

Witnesses:

FRED. C. CEREY, R. S. BUTLER. 

